Somerset police charge man in theft of copper from Home Depot

Unlike most copper thieves — who climb on roofs or break into abandoned buildings to steal copper to sell for scrap — a Warren, R.I., man decided on a different method and went on an illegal spree at the Home Depot on Route 6 on Wednesday, according to police. He now faces a felony larceny charge for the effort.

Unlike most copper thieves — who climb on roofs or break into abandoned buildings to steal copper to sell for scrap — a Warren, R.I., man decided on a different method and went on an illegal spree at the Home Depot on Route 6 on Wednesday, according to police. He now faces a felony larceny charge for the effort.

At around 2:30 p.m., police said, Bryan Machado, 28, of 5 Hanley Road — along with another man — went to the Home Depot carrying reusable shopping bags. With Machado acting as a lookout, his alleged accomplice filled the sacks with $1,926 worth of copper fittings, according to police. The pair ran when store workers attempted to stop them from leaving.

Machado’s partner fled into the woods, police reported, then re-emerged and hopped into a car and drove away. Police later identified the vehicle as belonging to Machado’s father.

Somerset Police Officer Brian Dempsey spotted Machado in the store parking lot, and Machado was questioned by the officer and Police Chief Joseph Ferreira before being taken into custody.

Police alleged that Machado first blamed the man who fled had stolen his car, but police said he changed his mind when officers told him he would have to file a stolen car report. If it wasn’t true, Machado would be charged with perjury, police said.

He was charged with one count of larceny over $250.

Police said they’ve identified Machado’s alleged accomplice, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Ferreira points to the high price thieves can get for salvaged precious metals as the reason for the prevalence of copper thefts.

In July, Somerset police caught a copper thief red-handed when he climbed the roof of the Somerset Berkley High School building. The Fall River man had stolen copper several times from the school's rooftop and was caught as police officers hid in wait for him to hit again.

“As long as the price of salvage precious metals is high, we will continue to see people using varying tactics to get it. It could be anything from breaking into houses, to stealing manhole covers, to stealing catalytic converters to stealing new copper and scrapping it,” Ferreira said.